What was that line again? It is a fact, widely understood… No, that wasn’t
it. It was a truth — yes, that was it, a truth.
It was a truth universally acknowledged, that a single duke in possession
of a large fortune, must be in want of a bride. That was the line. A very sensible
observation to commence a very silly book.
Young gels deciding for themselves who they would marry or not.
Ridiculous! Especially in their situation. An irritating — and stupid! — mother
who deserved to be strangled, and a father — well, men were useless in these
matters anyway.
Had it not been for the commonsensical actions of an aunt, that foolish,
mule-headed Elizabeth would have whistled an excellent marriage down the
wind. But her aunt had saved the day, and taken the gel to visit the young fellow’s
estate — and what a handsome estate it was. That had made the silly gel sit up and
take notice.
Still, the whole matter of the young gentleman actually being on hand, and
then being willing to propose to the stubborn gel again — poor besotted fool — that
was the sheerest luck. But it had all worked out in the end — thanks to chance, and
the actions of an aunt.